Intro To: Scanning Long Island

Intro to: Scanning Long Island

Download these slides at: http://www.w2lie.net/hru

Phil Lichtenberger w2lie

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Topics

• Conventional Scanning • Trunked Scanning • PL / DPL / NAC • Digital Modes (P25 / Mototrbo) • Rebanding • Useful Equipment for Long Island Scanning

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Advanced Forum Topics How to get more from your scanner with a PC • Software based trunk decoding Unitrunker / Pro96Com / Trunk88 • Conventional Logging Freescan / ProScan / BuTel Software • Digital Modulation Decoding – DSD Decoder / DSM Decoder – Monitoring MotoTRBO / NXDN / DMR / P25

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Conventional Scanning

• Simplex – Single Frequency • Ex. Fireground Operations

Tx / Rx = A

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Conventional Scanning

• Repeater – Separate Input & Output Frequency • Ex. Dispatch System

Tx = A Tx = A Rx = B Rx = B

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Conventional Scanning

• Duplex – Two Frequencies, used in RX/TX & TX/RX • Ex. New York State Police

Tx = A Rx = A

Rx = B Tx = B

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Conventional Scanning Tone Control • PL / CTCSS (Motorola Private Line) – Sub Audible signals transmitted with analog signals carrying voice transmission – Receivers only open squelch for radios transmitting the correct PL tone – Allows agencies to share the same frequency, but not hear each other (unless they also share the same PL)

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Conventional Scanning Tone Control • DPL / DCS (Digital Private Line) – Digital coded Squelch signals transmitted with analog signals carrying voice transmission – Receivers only open squelch for radios transmitting the correct DPL tone – Allows agencies to share the same frequency, but not hear each other (unless they also share the same DPL)

http://www.w2lie.net/hru PL Tones

• The following chart showing each PL tone's two-character alphanumeric designator and the corresponding tone frequency in Hertz.

Code Tone Freq. Code Tone Freq. Code Tone Freq. XZ 67.0 1B 107.2 6A 173.8 WZ 69.3 2Z 110.9 6B 179.9 XA 71.9 2A 114.8 7Z 186.2 WA 74.4 2B 118.8 7A 192.8 XB 77.0 3Z 123.0 M1 203.5 WB 79.7 3A 127.3 8Z 206.5 YZ 82.5 3B 131.8 M2 210.7 YA 85.4 4Z 136.5 M3 218.1 YB 88.5 4A 141.3 M4 225.7 ZZ 91.5 4B 146.2 9Z 229.1 ZA 94.8 5Z 151.4 M5 233.6 ZB 97.4 5A 156.7 M6 241.8 1Z 100.0 5B 162.2 M7 250.3 1A 103.5 6Z 167.9 0Z 254.1 http://www.metrocor.net/ctcss.htm

http://www.w2lie.net/hru DPL Tones 023 131 251 371 546 025 132 252 411 565 026 134 255 412 606 031 143 261 413 612 032 145 263 423 624 036 152 265 431 627 043 155 266 432 631 047 156 271 445 632 051 162 274 446 654 053 165 306 452 662 054 172 311 454 664 065 174 315 462 703 071 205 325 464 712 072 212 331 465 723 073 223 332 466 731 074 225 343 503 732 114 226 346 506 734 115 243 351 516 743 116 244 356 523 754 122 245 364 526 125 246 365 532

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning APCO-25

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning APCO-25 / Project 25

• Project 25 (P25) is a set of standards produced through the joint efforts of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO), the National Association of State Telecommunications Directors (NASTD), selected Federal Agencies and the National Communications System (NCS), and standardized under the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)... The P25 suite of standards involves digital Land Mobile Radio (LMR) services for local, state/provincial and national (federal) public safety organizations and agencies...

Source: Daniels' P25 Radio System Training Guide

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning APCO-25 / Project 25

Source: Daniels' P25 Radio System Training Guide

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning NAC Codes • Network Access Code, the P25 equivalent of PL or DPL.

• 12 bit code that prefixes every voice or data packet sent

• 3 digit hexadecimal number (12 bits) • 4096 possible NAC's for programming

Source: Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_25

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning Special NAC Codes • 0x293 ($293) - the default NAC • 0xf7e ($F7E) - a receiver set for this NAC will unsquelch on any NAC received • 0xf7f ($F7F) - a repeater receiver set for this NAC will allow all incoming signals and the repeater transmitter will retransmit the received NAC.

Source: Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_25

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Trunking EDACS / LTR / Motorola

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Trunking Overview

• Multiple Users share pooled Frequencies • User “Groups” (Talk Groups) are assigned a Frequency / channel to use. • More effective use of resources compared to conventional systems. • Systems can be linked into networks.

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Trunking Overview

• All radios on the system listen to the “Control Channel” for information • A user keys their radio, and requests a voice channel • Radio automatically drops back to receive mode to hear directions over the control channel. (User does not need to un-key the radio) • Trunk system directs the user to requesting a voice channel to move to an empty channel • All Users of the Group move to the assigned channel to communicate

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Common Trunk Systems found on Long Island • EDACS • Motorola Type II Project 25 (P25) MotoTRBO Capacity Plus / Connect Plus • LTR Standard

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Trunking Overview

Suffolk County Motorola System monitored using UniTrunker and a BC15XT

Click to play video http://www.w2lie.net/hru EDACS Trunk System (Enhanced Digital Access Communications System) • EDACS Standard / Wide – 9600 baud Control channel – 25 kHz Wide • EDACS Narrow – 4800 baud control channel – 12.5 kHz Wide • EDACS SCAT – “Single Channel Autonomous Trunking” – Operate on one frequency and alternate between CC and Voice • EDACS Networked – Allows multiple sites to be networked together creating a System – May be configured as “Standard” or “Narrowband”

http://www.w2lie.net/hru EDACS Trunk System (Enhanced Digital Access Communications System) • Frequencies must be programmed in Logical Channel Number (LCN) – System can have up to 24 LCNs

• Systems allow over 16,000 users to be defined on the system

• Group Hierarchy – Agencies • Fleets – Subfleets

• Talkgroups are programmed into scanners in AFS Format – Ex. 06-141

http://www.w2lie.net/hru EDACS Trunk System (Enhanced Digital Access Communications System) Sample EDACS LCN Sample EDACS Talk Group Programming Programming

http://www.w2lie.net/hru EDACS Trunk System Local EDACS System • Nassau County Public • Port Authority of NY/NJ Safety – JFK Airport – Nassau OEM – Nassau Sheriffs – LGA Airport – Nassau Firecom / HazMat – EWR Airport – Nassau DPW – Bridges & Tunnels – Village Governments – MTA – NUMC – County Parks

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Motorola Trunk Systems

• Scanners may work on programming Control channels and Alternate Control channels only – Some older scanners that support CC Only may require a channel plan

• 800MHz frequencies determined by standard channel numbers

• May require special programming for UHF systems, splinter, or rebanded systems that do not use the standard channel layouts.

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Motorola Trunk Systems Types of Motorola Trunk Systems • Type I

• Type II – Type IIi Hybrid – Type II Smartnet – Type II SmartZone – Type II SmartZone Omni Link – Type II VOC

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Motorola Trunk Systems Type I systems • Type I – Radios Tx ID, Fleet Info, Subfleet Info – Radios transmits its own affiliation – Arranged in Fleet-Subfleet Hierarchy – “Fleetmaps” needed to be used to Track a Type I System – Example Talkgroup: • 100-20

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Motorola Trunk Systems Type II Systems • Type IIi Hybrid • Type II Smartzone Omnilink – Up to 4 Smarzone systems can be linked at a time. – Systems that still use Type I radio – Up to 192 sites can be linked – Used for Large coverage areas – Include new Type II radios • Motorola Type II VOC – Type I and Type II radios can – Voice On Control Setup – “Bare bones” System interop. – Used for coverage gaps • Type II Smartnet – Control channel can become Voice Ch. – APCO 16 complient – Upto 28 Frequencies – Up to 65534 Radios – Up to 4095 talk groups – Use Odd Talkgroups – Use status bits • Type II Smartzone – Networked Smartnet systems via Microwave or other linking method – Sites may only transmit in the area the radio is affiliated in, and not the entire network – Limited to 64 sites

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Motorola Trunk Systems Type II Systems • Type II – Radios only TX radio ID – System database knows radio’s affiliation – No limitations on how many radios can be in a talkgroup. Type I had limitations – Talkgroups are divisible by 16

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Motorola Trunk Systems Type II Talkgroups • Talkgroups are normally programmed in “Decimal” format • Status bits may be used for special functions – There are 16 status bits that change the TGID – Scanner are usually programmed to “ignore” status bits.

• Example: – SCPD Sheriff on TG 848 transmits an Emergency – TG 848+2 = TG 850 Chart: Radio Reference Database

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Motorola Trunk System Some Local Motorola Systems • Suffolk County (SmartZone) • NYC DoITT (UHF SmartZone) – Suffolk County & Village PD – Corrections – Suffolk Medcom – DOT – County Operations – NYPD • East Hampton (SmartNet) – OEM – Fire Departments • NYC DoITT (800 SmartZone) – Police Departments – DEP – OEM – FDNY – City Servcies • Westchester (UHF SmartZone) – OEM – Fire / Police

http://www.w2lie.net/hru LTR Trunking Logical Trunked Radio • Primary use is by private businesses

• Frequencies stored in scanners in Logical Channel Number

• System uses “Home”, “GOTO”, and “FREE” channels

• Talk Groups set in “A-HH-GGG” format – A = Typically 0 or 1 – HH = LCN Home Channel – GGG = User Group Number

http://www.w2lie.net/hru LTR Trunking Types of LTR Systems • LTR Standard – The only current LTR system that can be trunked with today’s scanners – No Control Channel – Control data sent as subaudible data – Maximum of 20 channels per system • LTR Passport – System needs at least 3 frequencies • Home channel • Roaming channel – Used by units who have a home channel on another site • Registering Channel – Used by roaming units to register on the current site • LTR Standard & Passport – Hybrid systems that contain Standard and Passport Talk Groups • LTR MuliNet – APCO-16 compliant • LTR-Net – Enhanced LTR Standard system

http://www.w2lie.net/hru LTR Trunking LTR Standard • Home Channel Example: – Example System has 6 frequencies and 3 Home Channels – Home channels are LCN 01 , 03, 05 – “GOTO” channels are LCN 06, 07, 10

• Talk Group Example: – System has several users – A user with a Talk Group of 0-03-001 would be on Home Channel 03

• “GOTO” and “Free” Channels – System may place 0-03-001 on HH 05 if HH03 is busy – System may place 0-03-001 on LCN 07 is HH03 is busy

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Trunking APCO-25 / EDACS ProVoice / MA-Com OpenSky MotoTRBO Capacity Plus & Connect Plus

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Trunking Types of Digital Trunking Modes • EDACS – AEGIS • Replaced by ProVoice • Can not be scanned by today’s scanners – ProVoice • Supported with Uniden BCx36HP Scanners w/ Upgrade $ • MA/COM OpenSky – Can not be scanned by today’s scanners • Motorola APCO-25 (P25) – Today’s Digital P25 scanners can track this system • MotoTRBO – Supported by several newer scanners & software based scanning

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning APCO-25 / P25 Phase 1 • Phase 1 radio systems operate in 12.5 kHz analog, digital or mixed mode. Phase 1 radios use Continuous 4 level FM (C4FM) modulation for digital transmissions at 4800 baud and 2 bits per symbol, yielding 9600 bits per second total channel throughput. Receivers designed for the C4FM standard can also demodulate the "Compatible quadrature phase shift keying" (CQPSK) standard, as the parameters of the CQPSK signal were chosen to yield the same signal deviation at symbol time as C4FM while using only 6.25 kHz of bandwidth.

• Vendors are currently shipping Phase 1 P25-compliant systems. These systems involve standardized service and facility specifications, ensuring that any manufacturers' compliant subscriber radio has access to the services described in such specifications. Abilities include backward compatibility and interoperability with other systems, across system boundaries, and regardless of system infrastructure. In addition, the P25 suite of standards provides an open interface to the radio frequency (RF) subsystem to facilitate interlinking of different vendors' systems.

Source: Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_25

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning APCO-25 / P25 Phase 2 • To improve spectrum utilization, Phase 2 is currently under development with concurrent work being done on 2-slot TDMA and FDMA (CQPSK) modulation schemes. Phase II will likely use the AMBE+2 vocoder to reduce the needed bitrate so that one channel will only require 4800 bits per second.

• Significant attention is also paid to interoperability with legacy equipment, interfacing between repeaters and other subsystems, roaming capacity and spectral efficiency/channel reuse. In addition, Phase 2 work involves console interfacing between repeaters and other subsystems, and man- machine interfaces for console operators that would facilitate centralized training, equipment transitions and personnel movement.

Source: Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_25

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning MotoTRBO / DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) • Uses TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) to create 2 time slots on each frequency by alternating back and forth between time slots. • Created for the commercial user market, but adopted by many public safety agencies. • Using talk groups, trunking is possible and very common on TRBO Systems • Repeaters can fall back to analog communications supporting PL & DPL

• Multiple sites may be linked over an IP connection to create a Wide-Area network of repeaters

• Encryption is possible.

• Telemetry / Data is possible on each talk group as well

• Newer digital scanners & software scanning (DSD+)

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Trunking P25 Single Channel Trunking • Systems only use one frequency

• Radios transmit NAC & Talk Group – Conventional P25 only transmits NAC • Users must have the same NAC & Talk Group to hear each other

• No Control Channel

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Talk Groups & Trunking EDACS Digital Solutions • AEGIS – Earlier Digital Modulation used over standard EDACS System – Not APCO-25 Compliant – Will not communicate with ProVoice • ProVoice – Not APCO-25 Compliant – Uses the same IMBE Vocoder as P-25 – Will not communicate with ProVoice

Both AEGIS and ProVoice are digital talk groups on a standard EDACS system

* EDACS ESK is another form of digital that adds a layer of security to the control channel

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Talk Groups & Trunking Motorola Digital Solutions • ASTRO IMBE – Uses 3600 baud control channels – Digital Talk Groups on a Type II Smartnet or Smartzone system – Not P25 compliant – Digital and Voice talk groups can exist on the same network – Older Digital Radios can receive these digital signals • Uniden BC250D • Uniden BC785D – Current Example: Suffolk County Trunk System • Project 25 – Uses 9600 baud control channels – Systems must only contain digital talk groups – Current Example: Nassau County Police’s new system

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Talk Groups & Trunking Motorola Digital Solutions • MotoTRBO Connect Plus – Multiple site network linked over an IP connection – Each site has a dedicated control channel – Supports 100 Registered Talk Groups – Supports 30 simultaneous calls

• MotoTRBO Capacity Plus – Voice and Data on the same site – Up to 15 sites may be linked together – Up to 12 voice paths simulcast on 3 sites or less – Up to 6 voice paths simulcast on 15 sites – No fixed control channel • Control channel steps through frequencies as the CC is used for calls

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Motorola P25 Trunk System Some Local Motorola Systems • Nassau County Public Safety • NYC 700 MHz DoITT – Nassau Police (Encrypted) – Radio Testing – Village Police (Encrypted) • “Metro-25” – Fire Marshal – NY State – MEDCOM – NYPD Simulcast • Town of Babylon • Suffolk County – Town Operations – Future Build (2015? – 2016)

http://www.w2lie.net/hru MotoTRBO Trunk System Some Local Motorola Systems Capacity Plus Connect Plus • Hempstead Public Safety • One Voice Network • USTA Tennis Center – Covers 23 county – Covers 3 states – 55 sites identified in the network – User Include: • North Shore LIJ Ambulance Services • Towing Companies • Buff Radio Groups • Highway Departments • School Districts

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Rebanding EDACS / Motorola

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Rebanding A Simplified Background • Rebanding is basically shifting the licensees in the 800MHz band around so that they are correctly grouped together. • NexTel purchased ESMR frequencies which operated lower than public safety bands. • This configuration caused interference in the public safety spectrum • SMR & ESMR frequencies were shifted, and the public safety band was relocated down to the old NexTel RF Real-estate. • Typical Rebanding frequencies for Public Safety are 15MHz down from their existing location

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Rebanding

After rebanding, Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure will have exclusive use of 851-854 MHz. ESMR systems (primarily Nextel) will have exclusive use of 862-869 MHz range, and public safety, business/industrial users, and low-power SMR's will share the 854-862 MHz spectrum. 860-861 MHz is designated as an "Expansion Band", and 861- 862 MHz is designated as a "Guard Band". No licensees other than ESMR are required to relocate to channels above 860 MHz.

Credit: Radio Reference Wiki

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Rebanding EDACS Systems / LTR systems • Most systems will move down 15MHz from their pre-reband configuration • Simply entering the new frequencies into the proper LCN will reband the system • No further action is required on your scanner since EDACS and LTR rely on Logical Channel Numbering

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Rebanding Motorola Systems • Most systems will move down 15MHz from their pre-reband configuration • Custom Frequency band plans will need to be entered into the radio • Radios may require firmware upgrades to work • Some scanners will only take a reband configuration via software and not from the keypad

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Rebanding Typical Rebanding Charts UNIDEN REBAND CHART

GRE & Radioshack REBAND CHART

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Rebanding Custom Band Plans • Since Motorola systems operate on defined channel numbers instead of LCN, we need to “borrow” existing channel numbers and remap them to our reband numbers • To do this, we need to tell the radio the new base frequency, step size, and the starting channel number for the base frequency which is called an offset.

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Rebanding Custom Band Plans • Pre-Reband systems start at 851.0125 • This is Channel 0 (Offset 0) • Each channel above 0 is greater by 25kHz • The last frequency in the plan is 868.9875 • In a reband system, we start at channel 851.025MHz and end at 854.000MHz. • 851.025MHz is the new channel 440

http://www.w2lie.net/hru UHF Motorola Systems Custom Band Plans • The same principle behind rebanding band plans holds true for UHF Trunk Systems. • Scanners need to know the start frequency (Base), End Frequency, Offset, and step to know how to properly trunk the system. • Some scanners (Radioshack & GRE) may also need to know the last frequency in the band plan. • Examples of UHF Motorola Systems that need this info: – Westchester Public Safety – NYC DoITT UHF System

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Advanced Scanning on Long Island

Download these slides at: http://www.w2lie.net/hru

Phil Lichtenberger w2lie

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Topics How to get more from your scanner with a PC • UniTrunker (Trunk Radio Decoder) – Discriminator Tap Radio to decode – Add Serial Controlled Radio to Monitor – Swap Discriminator Tap Radio for ‘Inline’ Decode • Alternative Trunk Analyzers – Pro96Com | TrunkPCR | LTRLogger • Conventional Logging (Freescan / ProScan / BuTel) • Home Patrol Extreme Features • DSD Decoder - Digital Decoder (P25 / Mototrbo)

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Topics How to get more from your scanner with a PC • Software based trunk decoding Unitrunker / Pro96Com / Trunk88 • Conventional Logging Freescan / ProScan / BuTel Software • Home Patrol Extreme Features • Digital Modulation Decoding – DSD Decoder / DSM Decoder – Monitoring MotoTRBO / NXDN / DMR / P25

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Conventional Scanning And Radio Programming Software

http://www.w2lie.net/hru FreeSCAN Software http://www.sixspotsoftware.com/products/freescan

• Windows Software • Works with limited Uniden Scanners • Good for: – Programming Scanners – Logging Hits (Conventional / Trunk) – Recording Activity to audio files – Virtual Display of Scanner – Remote Control • FREE !

http://www.w2lie.net/hru FreeSCAN Supported Receivers

• As of January, 2016 the following radios are supported: • Uniden – SC230, BC246T, UBC3500XLT, BR330T, BCD396T, BC346XT(C), BCD396XT, BCT15X, BCD996XT, BCT15 and BCD996T, BCD996P2

http://www.w2lie.net/hru FreeSCAN

• Download link – https://sites.google.com/site/sixspotsoftware/products/freescan – Install in default directory • For help and info: – http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FreeScan_User_Guide

http://www.w2lie.net/hru FreeSCAN Programming Screen

http://www.w2lie.net/hru FreeSCAN Virtual Control

http://www.w2lie.net/hru FreeSCAN Logger

http://www.w2lie.net/hru FreeSCAN Recorder

http://www.w2lie.net/hru ProScan Software http://www.proscan.org • Windows Software • Works with limited Uniden Scanners • Good for: – Programming Scanners – Logging Hits (Conventional / Trunk) – Recording Activity to audio files – Virtual Display of Scanner – Bandscope – Audio Feeds – Remote Control via 2nd Computer – Can run multiple copies at one time http://www.w2lie.net/hru ProScan Supported Receivers

• As of January, 2017 the following radios are supported in version ProScan 11.0: • Uniden – BC796D, BC785D, BC780XLT, BC296D, BC250D – BCD996T, BCD396T, BCT15, BR330T – BCD996XT, BCD396XT, BCT15X, BC346XT(C) – BCD996P2, BCD325P2 – BCD436HP & BCD536HP Without Database Support

http://www.w2lie.net/hru ProScan

• Download link – http://www.proscan.org – License cost $50 – Each license entitles you to activate this product on 2 separate computers. – 30 day trial period • Install in default directory • For help and info: – http://www.proscan.org/phpbb/index.php

http://www.w2lie.net/hru ProScan Programming Screen

http://www.w2lie.net/hru ProScan Virtual Control

http://www.w2lie.net/hru ProScan Logger

http://www.w2lie.net/hru ProScan Bandsweep

http://www.w2lie.net/hru ProScan CC Data

http://www.w2lie.net/hru BuTel Software http://www.butel.nl • Windows Software • Works with almost all Uniden, Radio Shack, & GRE Scanners • Good for: – Programming Scanners – Logging Hits (Conventional / Trunk) – Recording Activity to audio files – Virtual Display of Scanner – Bandscope

http://www.w2lie.net/hru BuTel Supported Receivers

• TOO MANY TO LIST • Each radio may have specific software version • Some radios may share a common software release.

http://www.w2lie.net/hru BuTel

• Download link – http://www.butel.nl – License cost varies on software – Each license entitles you to activate this product on 2 separate computers. – Limited trial period • Install in default directory • For help and info: – http://forums.radioreference.com

http://www.w2lie.net/hru BuTel Programming Screen

http://www.w2lie.net/hru BuTel Virtual Control

http://www.w2lie.net/hru BuTel Bandscope

•https://sites.google.com/sit e/sixspotsoftware/products/ freescan

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Software Defined Radios

http://www.w2lie.net/hru SDR# (SDR Sharp) www.sdrsharp.com

http://www.w2lie.net/hru SDR# (SDR Sharp)

• Software that will control several different RTL-2832U chipset receivers • Free Download • Easy tool to setup UniTrunker, DSD+, and other software dependent on “cheap” receivers.

http://www.w2lie.net/hru USB TV Dongle Receiver

• Cheap • Needs Driver Modification to work • Cheap • Several software packages to choose from • New versions have TXO to eliminate drift • More uses over time • Look for RTL-2832U chipset • Inexpensive ($10 + shipping on eBay) http://www.w2lie.net/hru RTL-2832U Hints

• Do not use Windows Drivers • USB sticks need 5 minutes to warm up • Must use software like SDR# to calibrate • Adjust center freq and note offset • Download Scanner & Frequency Management plug-ins

• Best HowTo: http://www.atouk.com/wordpress/?p=153

http://www.w2lie.net/hru AirSpy Receiver

http://www.w2lie.net/hru AirSpy

• Created by the developers of SDR# • Plug and Play • Small • Up to 10Mhz receive window • Support for Bias-T • SMA Antenna Connection • $199 plus shipping

http://www.w2lie.net/hru RTL-SDR Applications

• Basic Appliations – SDR# & HDSDR • Trunk Radio Decoding / Following – Unitrunker – Trunk88 • Virtual Radar & Plane Plotting – ACARS and ADS-B Data Plotting • Ship Plotting – AIS Data • Digital Modulation Decoding – DSD / DSD+ (MotoTRBO, P25, NXDN, DSTAR) – DMRDecode • NOAA Weather Satellite Decoding • BIG List: – http://www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software/

http://www.w2lie.net/hru UniTrunker Software

• Windows Software • Decodes the following Trunk Systems: – Motorola APCO 16 – Motorola APCO 25 – EDACS48 and EDACS96 – MPT1327 – LTR • Inline Decoding only

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Why Use UniTrunker?

• Analyzes Multiple Types of Trunk Systems • Find and log new Talk Groups • Log Radio IDs • Find active patches • See Neighboring Sites • See any errors on the system • *Allow your old radio to work on a rebanded system

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Requirements for UniTrunker

• Windows Computer • UniTrunker Software • One or more of the following: – Discriminator Tapped Scanner & Soundcard – “In Line” Decoding Scanner & Serial Port – RTL-2832U Chipset USB (New 2014) • Optional – Second Serial Controlled Radio – Additional Decode Radios

http://www.w2lie.net/hru UniTrunker

• Download from www.unitrunker.com • Install in default directory • For help and info: – Google Group: Unitrunker

http://www.w2lie.net/hru UniTrunker Images shows: 3 Trunk Systems / 4 Transmitter Sites / 1 Voice Following Radio

http://www.w2lie.net/hru2011 UniTrunker Alternatives

• PRO96COM – Only Analyzes P25 Systems • TRUNK88 – Only Analyzes Motorola APCO16 Systems • TRUNKPCR – For Icom PCR-100/1000/1500/2500 • LTRLogger – Only Analyzes LTR Systems

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Pro96Com Software

• Windows Software • Only Analyzes P25 systems • Designed for “Inline” Receivers only • Only works with with receivers that will decode P25 Trunk Systems

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Pro96Com Supported Receivers

• As of January 2015, the following radios are supported: • GRE – PSR-500 PSR-600 PSR-500C PSR-600C PSR-800 • Radio Shack – PRO-96 PRO-2096 PRO-106 PRO-197 PRO-651 PRO-652 • Uniden – BCD396XT BCD996XT • Anritsu – S412 Monitor • Whistler – WS1040 WS1065

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Pro96Com

• Download from www.psredit.com • Install in default directory • For help and info: – Yahoo! Group: Pro96Com

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Pro96Com Screenshot

http://www.w2lie.net/hru TRUNK88 Software

• Windows & DOS Software • ONLY Analyzes Motorola APCO16 systems • Requires – Discriminator Tap or “Inline” receivers – RTL-2832U USB Receiver • Will control a 2nd radio for voice follow • No direct connection to Radio Reference • Setup can be cumbersome

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Trunk88

• Download from www.trunk88.com • Install in default directory • For help and info: – Yahoo! Group: Trunk88

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Pro96Com Screenshot

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning with an analog radio

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Speech Decoder Plus (DSD+) • Updated to 1.101 • Fast Track version made public 12/25/15 • Trunking Protocols supported: – MotoTRBO Connect Plus – Hytera TIII – NextEDGE • Digital Modes supported: – D-Star (No Audio) – NXDN (4800 and 9600) – MotoTRBO – P25 Phase 1 & 2 (Plus X2-TDMA) – ProVoice • Includes FMP to tune SDR Devices • www.dsdplus.com

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Digital Scanning Putting it together with DSD Decoder / DSD+

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Motorola Digital talk groups (APCO-16 & APCO-25) • Run UniTrunker / Trunk88 to monitor a trunk system • Use a control radio and feed the baseband audio to DSD Decode / DSD+ • DSD Decode / DSD+ feeds the converted audio through your computer speakers – May require installing a virtual audio cable

http://www.w2lie.net/hru DSD Plus Stand-Alone

http://www.w2lie.net/hru DSD+ 1.101 “Fast Track Public Release”

•DSD Plus now offers early releases to subscribers •Cutting edge updates and patches •Nicknamed “Fast Track” •Releases will become public after testing •Current Public release is 1.101 •Can monitor CC on TRBO Cap + Systems •Can monitor VC on TRBO Cap + Systems •Requires 2 radios to complete this task

http://www.w2lie.net/hru2011 DSD+ 1.101 Control Channel and Voice Channel Monitoring

http://www.w2lie.net/hru2011 DSD+ 1.101 Control Channel Event Log Window

http://www.w2lie.net/hru2011 DSD+ 1.101 Control Channel & Voice Channel Spectrum Control Channel Activity Monitor

http://www.w2lie.net/hru2011 DSD+ 1.101 Control Channel & Voice Channel Data screens

http://www.w2lie.net/hru2011 Current Radios The following radios will work on Conventional and Trunk Systems • Uniden • Whistler • Radioshack – Non-Digital – Non-Digital – Non-Digital • BCT15X – None – None – Digital – Digital – Digital • WS1040 • PRO-651 • BCD325P2 • WS1065 • PRO-652 • BCD996P2 • WS1080 • PRO-668 • HOMEPATROL-2 • WS1088 • BCD436HP • WS1095 • BCD536HP • WS1098 • TRX-1 • TRX-2

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Contact

• Email: – [email protected] • Web: – www.w2lie.net • Videos will be made and placed online at – http://www.youtube.com/w2lie

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Resources

• www.W2LIE.net – Long Island Live Scanner Feeds, Forums, and Frequency lists • www.fordyce.org – Long Island Frequency Lists. – Some lists are outdated • www.radioreference.com – Message boards and frequency databases from across the country • Daniels’ P25 Radio Training Guide • Wikipedia – Project 25 – EDACS • EDACS White Paper • The 800 MHz Transition Administrator

http://www.w2lie.net/hru Resources

http://www.w2lie.net/hru